Chris from Monkey Press talks with Angelspit’s Zoog about cyberpunk and the new album “BANG OPERATIVE“.
 
Many people who share my interest in synthesizers and making music do not have the opportunity to go to college, so I share my knowledge with them.
– Zoog, Angelspit
 

Your latest album Bang Operative is influenced by the synthwave sound of 1978-1981. What is special about this period? Why is synthwave so popular right now?
 
1978 to 1981 was a great time for synthesized music. It was the beginning of something new. Synthesizers became cheaper so more musicians could experiment with them. More audiences were discovering this new sound. Labels were emerging and signing the bands – this new scene was flourishing.
There was no defined “sound” or marketing A&R people deciding what defined and limited the genre – it was free experimentation. It was punk rock with synthesizers.
This is the sound I am referring to when I say “synthwave” – John Foxx, Numan, Jarre, Kraftwerk, Human League, Simple Minds, Vangelis and Devo.
I ventured into this era because I am always pushing myself to try something new.
I do not follow the new incarnation of “synthwave”. It’s interesting, but no where near as free and exciting as the original synthwave movement. It seems to be bound to a strict genre code – which is completely contrary to the original synthwave sound.
 
 
You produced the album in Los Angeles and the “city’s sprawling dystopia” is another inspiration you mention. Was it planned from the beginning to find inspiration in LA or did it just happen after you moved there?
 
The move to LA inspired the feel of the album. It’s certainly an inspiring city. LA is a curious place with an interesting culture. It’s easy to see how it inspired blade runner.
<cue huge taiko thud and koto strum>
Another inspiration is the cyberpunk genre. What are your favourite cyberpunk movies?
Max Headroom, Blade Runner, Akira, Blade Runner 2049, Sorry to Bother you, Tetsuo, the Matrix, Hardware, TRON.
It would be hard to pick a favourite movie. Blade Runner 2049 was stunning. Akira is a masterpiece…but Max Headroom nailed it.
 
Almost every sound is built or sampled from the ground up. I want to make something that evokes imagery and inspires imagination and thought.
– Zoog, Angelspit
 
Why is cyberpunk still relevant?
 
Cyberpunk *IS* our reality now. Our avatar have more social presence than we do.
My digital self interacts with more people than my physical self does. During the first wave of Cyberpunk (in the 80s) we watched War Games, Terminator, then Akira. Ten years later (mid late 90s) cyber was becoming defined and we got into The Matrix – it was this computer imprisoned future vision. AI were no longer interested in destroying our species, now they’d got smart and figured out how to imprison and enslave us…and now we’re are completely dependant on the Internet for communication and business. AI’s and viruses are interfering with air traffic control, finance, defense and even elections. The all mighty algorithm decides what news you see, and who you are comparable with on your dating app. It’s not a movie anymore.
My niece is 13. She watched The Matrix recently and said “yeah, and…?”…which blew me away, because to this new generation, the marriage between physical and virtual is a given…it’s everyday life….weirdly, I am now promoting to get UNPLUGGED, as it’s the cybozu/corporations who are taking over. censorship is real…Edward Snowden is a hero.
The computer I use to make music on is not connected – it has no wifi card, no Ethernet cable. All of my synths are analog or pre-USB. I avoid watching Netflix or other movies, as I believe they are there to stop the population from thinking/dreaming. The tentacles of the electronic Cathulu influence all – and the best way to deny it is to unplug.
 
 
How is your music different? How does it help listeners to think and dream again? Is this something you try to achieve?
 
Angelspit is strongly influenced by funk, punk and rock’n’roll. The music evolves and does not stay static. It grows. I put a lot of time into the synth programming and soundscapes. Almost every sound is built or sampled from the ground up. I want to make something that evokes imagery and inspires imagination and thought.
Angelspit is not afraid of exploring outside the normal expected influences. I love David Bowie because he was not afraid to experiment – rock, funk, indie, glam, even cyberpunk (his album “outside” is as “Cyberpunk” as it gets). Bowie was not afraid to experiment, and with experimenting comes the risk or failure….and he did, on several occasions. His courage and inventiveness were inspiring.
I feel our “genre” needs more experimentation. There has become a a status quo and we need to challenge it.
Listen to the soundtrack of Akira – traditional Japanese instruments and vocals mixed with and electronic sound. It’s perfect.
 
 
What do you think of Russia‘s new law to control the internet?
 
I think it will encourages more cyberpunks…!
 
I avoid watching Netflix or other movies, as I believe they are there to stop the population from thinking/dreaming. The tentacles of the electronic Cathulu influence all – and the best way to deny it is to unplug.
– Zoog, Angelspit
 
You mentioned unplugging. You are an avid Patron user and as an independent artist, the internet is probably your key to your audience. Is the internet a curse or a blessing?
 
A good question. The Internet is both. We are still figuring it was it – as a society.
There is research pointing to the internet being addictive – I personally agree with this.
As I mentioned, my main music production computer has no internet connectivity. When I work on that machine I am super productive. Much of this has to do with the fact that there is no internet to distract me…as I am a floored being desperately looking for distractions…!
I see many of my fellow artist being bogged down with Internet fluff, or expending too much energy on social media drama.
I need to be focused and disciplined…as I could waste days on YouTube videos about synthesizers and aliens…
 
The all mighty algorithm decides what news you see, and who you are comparable with on your dating app.
– Zoog, Angelspit
 
You are posting a lot of tutorials about using synthesisers on YouTube. How and where did you get familiar with them or (music) tech in general?
 
I started piano lessons when I was 13. I was terrible – I still am. “Playing” does not interest me. Fucking around interests me! I am much more interested in the knobs than the keys. Creating sound with the knobs is just as musical as creating music with the keys.
I saved up enough to buy my first synth when I was 14…it was all downhill from there (!!).
I studied music at university, I was always in the synth studio – I learned so much there. I ended up lecturing in MIDI, synthesizers and music technology.
I would spend hours in the library listening to synth albums, reading synth magazines, studying manuals, and learning about basic electronics.
I was fortunate to have access to such an awesome education. Australia ROCKS like that! Many people who share my interest in synthesizers and making music do not have the opportunity to go to college, so I share my knowledge with them.
I called my little educational videos “Blipverts” (inspired by Max Headroom). I hope these inspire and motivate people to make music….and explode!
 
Cyberpunk *IS* our reality now. Our avatar have more social presence than we do. My digital self interacts with more people than my physical self does.
– Zoog, Angelspit
 
What’s next to expect from Angelspit?
 
I am currently working on three new Angelspit albums.
The first is being released this year – it will be heavy….very heavy!
The next is released in 2021…it will explore angry, clanging industrial punk. It will be MAYHEM.
Not sure when the third will be released – but definitely within 2 years. It’s very different. I am working with several of my mentors to make it happen.
I am also producing a few EPs, plus helping bands release their albums.
 
 
Final question…and yes, it‘s a cheesy one. Kingaroy vs Los Angeles. Who wins and why?
 
Ha! This is great! I was born and raised in a small red-neck country town called Kingaroy in Australia. It had an AM radio station which played 70s Rock and country. The music shop sold 50s, 60s and 70s – you could order stuff in, but it would take forever. I ordered a copy of severed heads’ album “Bad Mood Guy”, but they nearly did not order it because they were concerned it was “satanic”…I’m serious…
Most people were racist and homophobic.
It was pre-Internet, so any musical influence came from radio, the 2 TV channels (there was no cable) or the music shop. Most of the students at my (very small) high school were in the same boat. It was….an adventure.
LA is also an adventure, but at least I have my wife, my cats and my synthesizers…and the Internet.
LA wins…!